What Does the Name Mara Mean?
Mara is a girl's name of Hebrew origin meaning “'bitter'.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Mara |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | 'bitter' |
| Variants | Marah, Marah, Mira, Maara |
| Popularity | A modestly used name in the U.S. and parts of Europe; recognizable but never trendy. |
The meaning and origin of Mara
The name Mara means “'bitter'” and has Hebrew origins. Mara is a Hebrew name meaning 'bitter'; in the Book of Ruth, Naomi renames herself Mara to express her grief. The same form also appears independently in several other languages as a short form of Mary-type names.
Variants and related names
Mara is related to several other names you may recognize: Marah, Marah, Mira, Maara. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Mara?
A modestly used name in the U.S. and parts of Europe; recognizable but never trendy.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mara mean?+
The name Mara means “'bitter'” and is of Hebrew origin.
What is the origin of the name Mara?+
Mara originates from Hebrew.
Is Mara a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Mara has trended in the US over time.
Mara by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press